Idolator

As much as we joke about gleefully ripping off the biz, we sincerely want all of our beloved artists to have long, healthy lives—that way, we get to see the entire ascent- to-descent-to-rock bottom-to-comeback cycle play itself out in front of our very eyes. Unfortunately, the health-insurance situation for bands is pretty horrific, meaning that musicians sometimes have to lean on their fans for help. So read the below, listen to some MP3s, and maybe pick up some of these records (legally, of course)

- Pat Spurgeon, drummer for Sub Pop superstars Rogue Wave, needs a kidney. A benefit will be held Sept. 30th in San Francisco. If you think San Francisco hasn't been cool since the late-'90s and would rather just give money, you can also donate at the band's website (you can read a rather impassioned plea for help on Entertainment Weekly's blog).

- Lance Hahn, who's put out approximately 4,231 melodic-punk singles with his band J Church, has experienced no shortage of heart, kidney and emotional problems over the last years (much of which is documented in his excellent blog. He feels weird asking for money, but he does point out that the best way to support him would be by buying some albums (we suggest starting with 1995's riffing Arbor Vitae).

Rogue Wave - Publish My Love [MP3, link expired]
J Church - Cigarettes Kill [MP3, link expired] (all things considered, that's kind of iffy song to post, but it's really the best song on the album)
Rogue Wave [Official site]
J Church [MySpace page]